Truss-pad



UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEroE.

H. H. REYNOLDS, OF BUFFALO, NFHV YORK.

TRUSS-PAD.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,444, dated June 1, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IIIRAM H. REYNOLDS, of the city of Buffalo, county of Erie, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved TrusssPad for the Treatment of Hernia; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon.

Inguinal hernia is more frequently met than any other form and to its treatment -I more particularly refer.

The nature of my invention relates to the structure of the pad and embraces three distinct feaures. 1st. A transverse vertical projection across the face of the pad. 2d. The pad is made deeply concave below its vertical projection. Sd. It is corrugated on its convex face above the vertical projection.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe the same.

Figure I is a plan of my improved pad. Fig. II is a section of the same showing more distinctly its concavity, vertical projection and oval face and also the connection of the pad to the spring. Fig. III is a plan showing corrugations on its oval face. Fig. IV is a plan (one quarter size) as arranged and used with a belt. Figs. I, II, and `III are full size.

These dimensions will of course be varied to accommodate particular cases. In all cases the pad should be larger than the hernia opening. It may be made of wood or metal or other suitable material. If made of metal a thin sheet is used and pressed into shape in a mold made for the purpose. A, pad; B, vertical projection. This runs diagonally across the pad and when applied is placed parallel with the pubic bone. It may be made fast to the pad in any convenient and substantial manner. The projection serves the purpose of holding back the hernial tumor and preventing it from working out from under the pad. This projection in connection with the concavity below it adapts the pad to the peculiar structure of the pubic bone and permits it to rest easily thereon, consequently a much lighter spring may be used and a much less outward pressure is required to hold back the tumor and give all necessary support to the abdominal wall.

C represents the concavity made in the pad below the vertical projection.V This concavity may be cushioned with canton flannel or other soft material so as to rest easily on the pubic bone and protect the spermatic cord. D, conical spiral spring to which the pad is attached; E, metal plate upon which the spring rests and by which the pad is connected to the belt; F, recess made in the pad for the retreat and play of the spring when there is suliicient pressure upon the pad; I, corrugations made in the oval face of the pad. These are for the purpose of facilitating the healing process, and producing a healthy inflammation over a space considerably larger than t-he ring and canal and also the skin and flesh becomes corrugated, and permanently thickened up thereby preventing a recurrence of the disease.

I design to construct the pad with and without the corrugations, and use either kind according to the requirements of each case treated. In all cases however the pad should be constructed and used with the vertical projection and the concavity. G, belt, to which the pad is attached and by which it is fastened to the body of the patient. It may also be used with a spring truss; H, perineal straps:

Directions for usen-Pass the belt around the hips and body over the rupture, return the tumor perfectly and place the pad upon it so that the vertical projection will come just above and parallel with the pubic bone. A very little pressure will be sutlicient to embed the projection in the soft parts, so as to make it rest upon the upper side of the pubic bone. The oval portion of the pad above the projection will come against the abdominal ring'and inguinal canal, and the concave base below the projection will rest upon the front side of the pubic bone and will amply protect the spermatic cord. By these devices in the pad all parts of the hernial tumor are firmly and securely held in place.

The tendency of the tumor is usually obliquely downward, and the projection on the pad resting as it does partly upon the upper edge of the pubic bone, and producing as it does a fold in the fleshy part of the abdomen, it is impossible for the tumor to protrude. The practicable good to the patient from this fact can hardly be overestimated.

This pad can be worn by the patient at all times night and day and in active exera second pad should be added, and for oise, consequently When the healing process 2. I claim making the pad conca-Ve below commences it may be continued Without inits Vertical projection as represented at 0,

terruption until a perfect eure is effected. for the purposes and substantially as'herein 1.5

In cases of inguinal herniaon both sides7 described.

3. I claim corrugating the oval face of the other forms of hernia, a proper modification pad for the purposes and substantially as should be made in the pad to meet their herein set forth.v

different requirements. HIRAM H. REYNOLDS.

Claims. l. I claim the transverse vertical projec- Vitnesses: tion B, for the purposes and substantially as F. LJBALDWIN,

W. H. FoRBUsH.

herein set forth. 

